Re: Railway [was: Train] Station Parking

Paul Harley wrote: 
On 31 Oct 2005 04:57:24, stevenwhittall@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:


I dont understand why some train operating companies are allowed to
charge what I consider extortionate ammounts to park at stations, when
they probably dont even own the land. Surely station parking should be
free for the following reasons:



If parking was free, many station car parks would be wedged with
commuters and shoppers accessing nearby premises, with no room for
passengers to park.

Where appropriate, there should be a charge to deter such abuse, but
with a significant percentage of the amount refunded to genuine rail
users (and no charge for rail staff).

Incidentally, I've heard that VWC are increasing the daily car parking
charge at the stations they manage from £5 to £6 w.e.f. 7th November!

Paul Harley

As an infrequent user of station car parks (I usually walk or cycle to little local station) my criteria is that there should ALWAYS be space and charges should be set accordingly. I think to make best use of car travel to stations and encourage 'marginal' use that should be a national standard.

'Marginal' users of trains are often detered by failing to find parking space, revert to using car for whole trip and never try train again. In addition even occassional train users who are familiar with 'system' are detered if they need to make a trip after say 09:00 and they know they are unlikely to get a space.

If car parks are full, rather than tarmacing even more green space operators/local authorities should do a 'travel plan' and see if improved access on foot or by bike, or improved bus services can create modal shift.

Because of the excellent 'reliability of journey time' a walk trip of over a mile can be 'quicker' than a car trip, given the need to allow maximum time through traffic and to park car and get to station just in time to catch the 07:NN. A bike can be quicker over 3 miles.

Buses as an alternative are more problematic. In the early 70s I 'looked' at bus 'feeder' services to a station on GWML. Two days out of seven it failed to run.
In Cambridge the evening hourly service to my village (we have one 'til afer 23:00) leaves 5 minutes before the 'fast' from KX arrives.

So if the carpark is full before 09:00 they should up the charges.

Jim Chisholm
.

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